Former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has settled on his next job after he reportedly interviewed with multiple programs around the SEC.

Auburn sources told Auburn Undercover that Mason has signed a letter of agreement. An announcement is expected soon, perhaps as early as today. Mason will replace Kevin Steele, Auburn’s defensive coordinator for the past five seasons. Auburn will reportedly owe Steele the final two years of his contract, a total of $5 million. Should Steele take another job, what Auburn owes him will be mitigated.

This move comes after former South Carolina assistants Mike Bobo and Will Friend were also set to join first-year head coach Bryan Harsin’s staff. Mason reportedly interviewed in recent weeks with South Carolina and LSU for their open defensive coordinator positions.

Mason returns to a role as a defensive coordinator that he last had at Stanford before he spent the last seven seasons as Vanderbilt’s head coach, where he was 27-55 with two bowl appearances. Mason is most known at Vanderbilt for being the first coach since the 1920s to beat in-state rival Tennessee three straight seasons.

Mason previously worked from 2007-2009 coaching defensive backs for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. He coached Stanford’s defensive backs in 2010, then moved to co-defensive coordinator and later DC on his own from 2011 to 2013.